Method of fabricating a pillow casing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A pillow tray having a back panel, sidewalls, and an endwall to which a retaining member is hingedly attached defining a pillow opening for holding a pillow neatly so as to be easily inserted into a pillowcase.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to housekeeping apparatus.

More particularly, the present invention relates to aids in preparingbedding.

In a further and more specific aspect, the instant invention concerns amethod and apparatus for inserting a pillow into a pillowcase.

2. Prior Art

When referring to bedding, the list of elements are incomplete withoutincluding pillows. Generally a pillow is considered a necessity forcomfortable sleeping. A pillow is relatively expensive, but will lastfor a considerable length of time if protected from wear and tear.Therefore, as with other bed linens, pillowcases are to protect thepillow, and also to be decorative.

Pillowcases are generally sack-like, having an open-end to receive apillow. The pillowcase encloses the pillow protecting it from beingsoiled and worn from use. Pillows are frequently removed frompillowcases allowing the pillowcases to be replaced or washed. In somecases, such as a hotel environment, pillowcases are changed frequently.

Traditionally, to insert a pillow into a pillowcase, an end of thepillow is held under a persons chin. The open-end of the pillowcase isthen fitted over the opposing end of the pillow. From this position, thepillowcase can be pulled upward, enclosing the pillow. This has been asuccessful technique, used for many years. While this method of incasinga pillow is relatively simple, some people may have difficulties due totheir size, strength or agility.

Many pillows, such as pillows used on king sized beds are relativelylong and may be difficult to handle for one who is older or smaller.

Many times a pillow is difficult to force into a pillowcase. Instead ofsliding easily into the case, application of force to overcome frictionbetween he pillow and pillowcase is required. This may distort thepillow as well as cause difficulty for a great number of people. When asmall pillow is being cased, care can be taken in order to smooth orstraighten corners. However, even with small pillows this may bedifficult. With larger pillows inserting a pillow into a case can resultin turning or compressing the corners, distorting the shape of thepillow. Thus the cased pillow does not have a neat look with distinctivecorners.

It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the foregoing andother deficiencies inherent in the prior art.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a newpillow casing apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pillow casingapparatus that is inexpensive.

And another object of the present invention is to provide a pillowcasing apparatus that is easy to use.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a pillowcasing apparatus which can be used to easily and neatly insert a pillowinto a pillowcase.

Still another object of the instant invention is to provide a pillowcasing apparatus which is simple to construct.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a pillowcasing apparatus which may be built with dimensions to accommodatesubstantially any pillow size.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a pillowcasing apparatus which will allow the insertion of a pillow into apillowcase so as to keep the corners of the pillow distinct.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, to achieve the desired objects of the instant invention inaccordance with a preferred embodiment thereof, provided is a back panelfrom which an endwall and two sidewalls extend. A retaining memberhingedly extends from said endwall spaced apart from the back panelintermediate the sidewalls.

The method of using the pillow casing device includes hingedly swingingthe retaining member away from the back panel, and placing the pillowupon the back panel surrounded by the sidewalls and endwall. Theretaining member is then moved inward to a position substantiallyparallel to the back panel, retaining the pillow therebetween. Thepillow casing apparatus with pillow is inserted into a pillowcase, andthe pillow casing apparatus removed leaving the pillow encased.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and further and more specific objects and advantages ofthe instant invention will become readily apparent to those skilled inthe art from the following detailed description of the preferredembodiment thereof taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the insertion of a pillowcasing apparatus containing a pillow being inserted into a pillowcase;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a pillow casing apparatus constructed inaccordance with the teachings of the instant invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional end view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 5-8 are perspective views illustrating the casing of a pillowusing the pillow casing apparatus;

FIG. 9 is a top view illustrating the unfolded pillow tray;

FIG. 10 is a top view illustrating the retaining member of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate the folding of the tray member illustrated inFIG. 9;

FIG. 13 illustrates the attachment of the retaining member to the pillowtray;

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view illustrating the completion ofthe pillow casing apparatus;

FIG. 15 is a partial cutaway side view taken along line 15--15 of FIG.14; and

FIG. 16 is a partial cutaway end view taken along line 16--16 of FIG.13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Turning now to the drawings in which like reference characters indicatedcorresponding elements throughout several views, attention is firstdirected to FIG. 1 which illustrates a pillow casing apparatus generallydesignated 10 holding a pillow 12 in preparation for insertion into apillowcase 13. Pillow 12 is any conventional pillow generally of thetype associated with bedding materials and rectangular in shape.Pillowcase 13 is any conventional pillowcase which will receive pillow12, and is generally a tubular body 14 having a generally rectangularshape, and defining a cavity 15. Tubular body 14 includes a closed-end17 and an open-end 18. Open-end 18 has a pillow opening 19 which allowsaccess to cavity 15.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, pillow casing apparatus 10 consists of a pillowtray 20 and a retaining member 22. Pillow tray 20 has a substantiallyplainer back panel 23 having an inner surface 24 and outer surface 25, atrailing end 27 and a leading end 28. It will be understood that the useof the terms trailing and leading are used solely for purposes oforientation and reference, with leading referring to a portion which isfirst inserted into pillowcase 13 and trailing referring to a portionfollowing. Sidewalls 29 each having an inner surface 30 an outer surface32 a trailing end 33 and a leading end 34, extend perpendicularly upwardfrom inner surface 24 of back panel 23 in a parallel spaced apartrelationship extending from trailing end 27 to leading end 28 of backpanel 23. An endwall 35 having an inner surface 37 and an outer surface38 extends perpendicularly upward from inner surface 24 of back panel 23approximate trailing end 27. Endwall 35 is coupled to and extendsbetween trailing ends 33 of sidewalls 29.

Retaining member 22 having an inner surface 40, an outer surface 42, atrailing end 43 and a leading end 44 extends from endwall 35 at trailingend 27 of back panel 23 towards leading end 28 of back panel 23.Trailing end 43 of retaining member 22 is hingedly coupled to endwall 35allowing retaining member 22 to pivot in an arcing path towards and awayfrom back panel 23. A pillow space 45 is defined between sidewalls 29,endwall 35, back panel 23, and retaining member 22.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-8 the method of inserting a pillow into apillowcase is illustrated. FIG. 5 illustrates retaining member 22pivoted outward away from back panel 23 to allow easy access to pillowspace 45. Pillow 12 is placed into pillow space 45 along arrow A.Retaining member 22 is then pivoted downward towards back panel 23flattening and retaining pillow 12 as illustrated in FIG. 6. Pillowcase13 is then pulled onto pillow casing apparatus 10, holding pillow 12,along arrow B. This is accomplished by placing open-end 18 over leadingends 28, 34, and 44 of pillow casing apparatus 10. Pillow casingapparatus 10 is then fully inserted into pillow cavity 15 of pillow case13 as illustrated in FIG. 7.

The preferred method of accomplishing the steps illustrated in FIGS. 6and 7 is to place a pillow casing apparatus 10 containing pillow 12 on aflat surface with outer surface 38 of endwall 35 resting thereon. Backpanel 23 and sidewalls 29 extend upward away from the flat surface,allowing pillowcase 13 to be fitted over pillow casing apparatus 10.Pillowcase 13 containing pillow casing apparatus 10 and pillow 12 isthen reversed, with open-end 18 facing in an upward direction. Pillowcasing apparatus 10 is then removed from pillow cavity 15 through pillowopening 19 along arrow C illustrated in FIG. 8. Use of pillow apparatus10 for casing of pillows 12 insures a smooth pillow and crisp pointedcorners which add to the esthetics of the cased pillow.

Those skilled in the art will understand that while pillow casingapparatus 10 is most easily inserted into pillowcase 13 by the methoddescribed above, pillow casing apparatus 10 may be inserted in anymanner, such as with outer surface 25 of back panel 23 parallel to asurface. As pillow casing apparatus 10 is inserted into pillowcase 13,retaining member 22 allows pillowcase 13 to slide smoothly therealongwith substantially no friction produced between pillow 12 and pillowcase13. Leading ends 28, 34, and 44 are rounded to insure smooth insertionof pillow casing apparatus 10 into pillow case 13. The rounded cornersprevent any snags or catches, of pillow casing apparatus 10 onpillowcase 13, from disrupting the smooth insertion of pillow casingapparatus 10 into pillowcase 13.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a preferred embodiment for constructing pillowtray 20 is illustrated. Generally, while pillow casing apparatus 10 asdescribed in FIGS. 1-4 may be constructed of various materials such asplastic, cardboard, metal, or various other substantially rigidmaterials in the finished configuration, the preferred method ofconstruction is illustrated in FIGS. 9-13. For this preferred method ofconstruction, pillow tray 20 further includes a sheet of material 50consisting of a rigid foldable material such as cardboard or metal.Sheet 50 has a pair of parallel spaced apart perforations 52 definingback panel 23 from sidewalls 29. Slots 53 are formed in sheet 50 alongparallel perforations 52. An endwall perforation 54 is formed in sheet50, defining trailing end 27 of back panel 23 from endwall 35. Endwallslots 55 are formed through sheet 50 along endwall perforation 54.Endwall 35 consists of an edge 57 opposing endwall perforation 54 andhaving tabs 58 which correspond to endwall slots 55. Endwall 35 isdivided into an outer and an inner portion 59 and 60 respectively, by anendwall fold perforation 62 formed in sheet 50 parallel to andintermediate edge 57 and endwall perforation 54. A slot 61 is formedthrough sheet 50 along endwall fold perforation 62.

Sidewalls 29 include an edge 63 parallel to and spaced apart fromparallel perforations 52, a tongue 64, an outer portion 65 and an innerportion 67. Tongues 64 are separated from outer and inner portions 65and 67 by a separation 68 which is an extension of endwall perforation54. Tongue 64 is a continuation of and is foldably coupled to innerportion 60 of endwall 35, along parallel perforations 52. Separation 68is irregular, defining a tab 69 on tongue 64. Outer portion 65 and innerportion 67 are defined by a perforation 66 extending parallel to anintermediate edge 63 and parallel perforations 52. Tabs 70 are formed onedge 63 of outer portion 65, in a spaced apart relationshipcorresponding to slots 53.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a perforation 72 is formed across retainingmember 22 approximate trailing end 27 to form a retainer tab 73.

The perforations formed in sheet 50 allow folding thereof to fabricatepillow casing apparatus 10. The steps in this folding process areillustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. Referring specifically to FIG. 11,tongues 64 are folded perpendicular to inner portion 60 along parallelperforations 52. Inner portion 60 is folded perpendicular to back panel23 along endwall perforations 54. Slots 53 of back panel 23 receive tabs69 as inner portion 60 is folded. Tabs 69 follow an arcuate path asillustrated by arrows D. Outer portion 59 is folded downward alongendwall fold perforation 62 flush with inner portion 60. Tabs 58 followan arcuate path designated by the arrow E and are received by endwallslots 55. Details of the endwall construction are illustrated in FIG.15, and details of the sidewall construction are illustrated in FIG. 16.

Referring now to FIG. 12 and 16, inner portion 67 of sidewalls 29 arefolded upwardly perpendicular to back panel 23 along parallelperforations 52. Outer portion 65 is folded inwardly parallel to innerportion 67 along perforations 66 with tabs 70 following a path indicatedby arrows F, to be received by corresponding slots 53. This forms thecompleted pillow tray 20, as can be seen in FIG. 13.

Referring to FIG. 13, retainer tab 73 is folded along perforation 72 toform a flexible hinge. Retaining tab 73 is inserted into slot 61 along apath illustrated by arrow G. The completed pillow casing apparatus 10 isillustrated in FIG. 14.

Various changes and modifications to the embodiment herein chosen forpurposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art.To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart fromthe spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within thescope thereof which is assessed only by a fair interpretation of thefollowing claims.

Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms asto enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same,the invention claimed is:
 1. A method of fabricating a pillow casingapparatus comprising the steps of:providing a sheet of material having aback panel, a first sidewall, a second sidewall and an endwall definedby perforations; folding said endwall upward along said perforations,perpendicular to said back panel; doubling over an outer portion of saidendwall inwardly parallel to an inner portion of said endwall; couplingsaid outer portion of said endwall to said back panel; folding tonguesextending from said endwall horizontally inward perpendicular to saidendwall and said back panel; folding said first and said secondsidewalls upward along said perforations, perpendicular to said backpanel; and attaching a retaining member to said endwall.
 2. A method offabricating a pillow casing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidstep of folding said first and second sidewalls includes the stepsof:doubling over an outer portion of said first and second sidewallsinwardly over said tongues, parallel to an inner portion of said firstand second sidewalls; and coupling said outer portion of said first andsecond sidewalls to said back panel.
 3. A method of fabricating a pillowcasing apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the step of coupling saidouter portion of said endwall to said back panel includes inserting tabsextending therefrom into slots formed in said back panel.
 4. A method offabricating a pillow casing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein thestep of coupling said outer portion of said first and second sidewallsto said back panel includes inserting tabs extending therefrom intoslots formed in said back panel.
 5. A method of fabricating a pillowcasing apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the step of attachingsaid retaining member includes the steps of:forming a tab at one end ofsaid retaining member by folding an end of said retaining member along aperforation; and inserting said tab into a slot formed in said endwall.